LIVE: Huge funding boost of €20m to expand apprenticeships announced by TD in Tipperary

Just over €20.5m in Apprenticeship funding has been announced today, in what a Tipperary TD called "a response to the ever-increasing demand for apprenticeships in the Higher Education sector."

Deputy Michael Lowy confirmed today that the funding will be dispersed across four Technological Universities and one Institute of Technology (IoT) in the Higher Education sector to deliver up to an additional 99 Apprenticeship Craft Training Blocks, in addition to 8 consortium-led Apprenticeships (CLA) Equipment projects. 

"This additional capacity is required to meet the increase in Apprentice Registrations, as indicated by SOLAS in a number of craft trades, in addition to supporting 8 consortium-led apprenticeship projects (a model of apprenticeship which was initially rolled out in 2016)," the TD explained.

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"Today’s investment of €20.5 million will fund the delivery of 99 Apprenticeship Craft Training Blocks, as well as 8 Consortium-Led Apprenticeship (CLA) equipment projects, creating almost 1,600 additional apprenticeship places.

"These craft training blocks will provide extra capacity at Phase 4 and Phase 6 across four Technological Universities and one Institute of Technology, supporting the expansion of registrations in high-demand trades such as Electrical, Carpentry & Joinery, Heavy Vehicle Mechanics, Motor Mechanics, Plumbing, Mechanical Automation & Maintenance Fitting, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning and Wood Manufacturing and Finishing.

"This expansion responds directly to the growing demand for learning through apprenticeship.

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"In addition to Craft Apprenticeships, funding will also provide for the replacement and purchase of specialist equipment to support eight CLA programmes in areas such as Manufacturing, Polymer Processing and Electrical.

"The consortia-led model has been central to the success of the 52 new Apprenticeship Programmes launched since 2016, expanding pathways into ICT, finance, sales and marketing, health and social care, and other sectors new to apprenticeship in Ireland.

"These programmes are already delivering employment, career development, and recognised qualifications across more than 40 occupations nationwide.

"This Government is committed to growing apprenticeship registrations from 10,000 per year by 2025 to at least 12,500 per year by 2030," concluded Deputy Lowry.